Pre-Trial Services Officer I at Hays County, TX

About the Department

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary  

Assists the court with pretrial release determinations, manages a caseload by collecting, maintaining, and reporting information by prescribed procedures, and ensuring defendants’ compliance with all pretrial release conditions.

Position Duties

• Acquires and maintains criminal history information and other information relating to defendants’ pretrial frisk of non-appearance to court and danger to community.   Verifies the accuracy of such information, including the defendant’s residence and employment history without limitation.
• Provides oral and written reports concerning defendants’ pretrial risk of non-appearance and danger to community and recommends the pretrial release and any special conditions of release.  Testifies in court as necessary.
• Ensures that defendants released by the court pending adjudication of their charges timely execute pretrial supervision contracts and other required documents.   Ensures that all documentation generated, acquired, or complied in connection with the pretrial service policies is maintained by prescribed procedures.
• Monitors, track’s and assists the court with ensuring defendants’ compliance with all conditions of pretrial release, which may include, drug/alcohol testing, monitors compliance with substance abuse/mental health evaluations, and collects court ordered fees. Provides timely reporting of defendant's non-compliance with such conditions to the court.
• Administers drug and alcohol testing of defendants; and maintains an inventory of appropriate testing equipment and ensures testing accords with the Court’s order and applicable law.
• Utilizes case management software ensuring the information is accurate and up to date.
• Prepares periodic reports with case statistics and other information for the courts.
• Maintains strict confidentiality by department procedures.  Follows all applicable laws, regulations, and contractual requirements concerning acquiring and disseminating criminal history information.
• Enters court ordered pretrial supervision fees into the case management system.  Maintains fee schedules relating to fees collected from defendants.  Instructs defendants regarding submitting payments and applications for fee exemption due to hardship.
• Refers defendants to appropriate agencies for assistance/services as needed and monitors defendant’s participation.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
• Demonstrates the ability to make release and detention recommendations without supervision but follows the Court recommendations.
• Performs other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience (preferred) in court services, law enforcement, social services, counseling, case management, or a related lot; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Other Qualifications

• Valid Texas Class C driver’s license.
• Within 2 months of hire and throughout employment after that: NCIC/NCJIS clearance.
• Bilingual (English to Spanish) preferred.